LLM Question of the Day for 10-1-2011, and, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part BONUS of 10+

First the Question: In the Gospel of John it is NOT recorded that Satan met the LORD Jesus Christ in the wilderness to tempt Him. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 9-27-2011

Question: The Apostle Paul was imprisoned for proclaiming Divine Truth, which he called The Mystery, or my Gospel. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! In Ephesians 6:19-20 and in Colossians 4:3-4, the Apostle Paul was in jail for proclaiming Divine Truth which he called “The Mystery.” In 2 Timothy 2:8, Paul writes of “my gospel”, and then adds, “wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound.” Thus we see that the Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome for proclaiming “The Mystery.” Now, on this question, out of 758 responses, 82.9% of you got it RIGHT! Praise the LORD! Therefore,

Today let us consider, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part Bonus of 10+

Here is the BONUS, the tenth set of Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study.

First, as always, here are the very important FIVE different groups or classes of people who are addressed from the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation:

1) To unsaved Israelites who were under the Law.

2) To saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ.

3) To unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and not under the Law.

4) To carnal saints and babes who were members of the Body of Christ.

5) To those who were of full age, called “the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

Remember, for an in-depth explanation of these five different groups I urge you to read “Super bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1”. Keep these five different groups in mind, and you will derive both blessing and benefit as you carefully study this BONUS tenth set of Super-Facts.

Ok, here we go:

1) In Romans 2:16, Romans 16:25 and 2 Timothy 2:8, the Apostle Paul referred to the Gospel which he preached as “MY gospel.” In the Greek, in 2 Timothy 1:12, he referred to “MY deposit.” In his oral and written ministry Paul used the first person pronoun about 1100 times. Note his statement in 1 Timothy 1:11, “According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to MY trust.” Now take note in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul instructed Timothy to take medicine for his sickness. Compare this with an entirely different program in Luke 9:6, “And they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing every where.” In Luke, the Kingdom Gospel, with healing, was preached before any of the Twelve told sinners that Christ would die for their sins. Read Luke 18:31-34. Note one of the Apostle Paul's last statements in 2 Timothy 4:20. He left Trophimus sick at Miletum. Our point is: Test things that differ.

2) In the study of the Book of Acts we note that the LORD permitted the Apostle Paul to perform miracles similar to those done by the hands of the Apostle Peter, and just as many of them. They both spoke with tongues, they both healed all manner of diseases, with or without the imposition of hands. They both had miraculous experiences in jail. They both raised the dead. They each cured one lame from his birth. They both had special visions from the LORD and angels. Paul, in 2 Cor. 12:12, declared that his miracles were the signs of an Apostle. It is significant that there is NO record of signs and miracles done in Jerusalem among the Jews AFTER Stephen's message and martyrdom (Acts 7), and no record of signs, miracles, tongues, etc., in any place after the Divine judgment pronounced upon Israel in Rome. Acts 28:25-28.

3) In the study of the Epistle of James, four statements should be considered.

1. The Epistle is addressed to the scattered twelve tribes.

2. James' words of Acts 15:19, “my sentence is, trouble not Gentile believers with Jewish religious practices.”

3. James, with Peter, was a minister to the circumcision, with the Circumcision Gospel. Gala­tians 2:7-9.

4. It was James, according to Acts 21:18-28, who, about 60 A.D., persuaded Paul to act Jewish in the Jerusalem temple.

Also note that the word, “assembly”, in James 2:2, is “synagogue.” Referring to James 5:14, anointing the sick with oil, there is NO record in any Scripture that oil was put on any Gentile for any purpose UNLESS it was on a proselyte, BEFORE Paul became the Apostle to the Gentiles.

4) During the “Acts” period, the Apostle Paul became a Jew under the Law, to the Jews under the Law. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22. In taking a Jewish vow he shaved his head. Acts 18:18. He circumcised Timothy. Acts 16:3. He wanted to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost. Acts 20:16. He apologized to Israel's high priest more than 25 years after the death of Christ. Acts 23:5. He sat for seven days in the temple at Jerusalem as a Jew. Acts 21:24-29. Paul never did any of these things AFTER his declaration of Acts 28:25-28. Up to the close of the “Acts” period God preserved and protected Israel in their own land, permitting their temple to stand; and they continued with their temple worship. During those years there was one order for the believing Jews and a somewhat different order for the Gentiles that believed. Acts 21:24-25 and Acts 15:11-24.

5) In Ephesians 6:19-20 and in Colossians 4:3-4, the Apostle Paul was in jail for proclaiming Divine Truth which he called “The Mystery.” He wanted saints to pray that his mouth might be opened and doors of opportunity might be opened for the proclamation of “The Mystery.” In 2 Timothy 1:12, he called it “my deposit”. In 2 Timothy 2:8, Paul writes of “my gospel”, and then adds, “wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound.” Thus we see that the Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome for proclaiming “The Mystery.” It is STILL necessary to pray for open doors for the proclamation of this glorious truth. And it is the duty of EVERY servant of the LORD to make others see the Dispensation of the Mystery. Ephesians 3:9. They can see by having God give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Ephesians 1:16-23.

6) Look at 2 Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us and called us with an HOLY calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and Grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus be­fore the world began.” Then read Ephesians 3:11, “According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our LORD.” Ephesians 3:9, “And to make all men see what is the Dispensation (fellowship) of the Mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Here we learn something, more of “The Mystery”, which had to do with God's eternal pur­pose in Christ Jesus, God's Grace and purpose for members of Christ's Body, before God called Israel and gave to Israel their program. In connection with “THE MYSTERY” in Ephesians, God speaks of predestination and the believer's position in the heavenlies.

7) Now note Ephesians 3:8, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this Grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the UNSEARCHABLE riches of Christ.” And Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and SEARCHED the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The word “UNSEARCHABLE”, in Ephesians 3:8, means untraceable, that is, not found in the messages the Holy Spirit gave to Israel's prophets. In Acts 17:11, the Bereans could read Israel's prophets and check up on Paul, but NO ONE could search the Scriptures and find “The Mystery” of Ephesians. That truth was NOT made known to Israel. Colossians 1:24-27. That Mystery, revealed first to the Apostle Paul, the LORD declared, was to complete His Word. Colossians 1:25-26. God wants his saints to know the truth of Ephesians and Colossians, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried away with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:14.

8) Every true Christian believes in the verbal inspiration of the Bible and that all Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness, but every intelligent student of the Scriptures knows that MANY of the Divine instructions given to Israel, about to enter Canaan in Leviticus, and Numbers, and Deuteronomy, are NOT to be obeyed by members of the Body of Christ who are seated in the heavenlies in Christ. Ephesians 2:6. They should also know that many of the instructions in Matthew, Mark, and Luke are not for the obedience of these Body members and that the program for the first ten chapters of Acts is not God's spiritual program for members of Christ's Body, under the present reign of grace. Therefore, God's principle for Bible study, for the appropriation and application of all other Scriptures, is to study all other Scriptures in the light of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and other Epistles of Paul in which are found the UNMIXED messages of Grace and the Divine Truth designated “The Mystery.”

and here is The Mystery….

Before Israel was created for God’s glory, before all of the promises concerning Israel’s coming glory and the millennial reign of Christ on earth, even, before Adam had sinned, or was created, God PREDESTINATED that members of the Body of Christ should be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29). They would be SEATED in the Heavenlies in Christ. God’s eternal purpose is to have a company of redeemed sinners SEPERATE and DISTINCT from ALL OTHER companies. Dwell on this.

These predestinated and justified believers are to be JOINED to Christ as ONE flesh, to make ONE New Man, the Perfect Man, with HEAVENLY citizenship, to appear with Christ in glory. (Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 5:31-32; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4).

THIS the Father wants every Christian to make known (Ephesians 3:9). And, of course, Satan hates this message with a vicious hatred.

In closing this series of Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, we quote several statements from the Holy Spirit through the pen of the Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 3:10, “According to the Grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”

1 Timothy 1:16, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me FIRST Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.”

1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ.”

2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among my witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Colossians 1:25-26, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the Dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God: Even The Mystery which hath been HID from ages and from generations, but NOW is made manifest to His saints.”

Then note the Holy Spirit speaking through the pen of the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:15-16, “And account that the long-suffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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SPECIAL MESSAGE. Are Members of the Body of Christ Under the Law of Moses?

We receive many questions about The Law (of Moses) and whether or not it applies to members of the Body of Christ today. So let's take a look...

The word “Law” appears 523 times in the Bible of which 223 are in the New Testament. The Hebrew word “TORAH” appears 219 times in the Jewish Bible and primarily refers to “teaching.” To Jewish people, the “law” refers to both “oral” and “written” Law.

There are several synonymous terms that include the following:

commandments...Hebrew word “mitzvah”....used 181 times
testimonies.......…Hebrew word “yedah”.......used 25 times
statutes..............Hebrew word “choq”........used 126 times
judgments...........Hebrew word “mishpat”....used 417 times
word...................Hebrew word “dabar”.... used 1447 times

The “Law” refers to 613 commandments, the Ten Commandments, the first five books of the Bible, and to the entire Old Testament (Jewish Bible - TANAKH). The “Law” is forever settled in the heavens (Psalm 119:89) and is “perfect, right, pure, clean, true, righteous, holy, good, just” and “endures forever” (Psalm 19:7-9; Romans 7:12). The “Law” cleanses, revives, warns, gives direction and understanding (Psalm 119). It does NOT refer to tradition, be sure to read Matthew 15:6-9. The “Law” is more desirable than gold (Psalm 19:10).

THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAW

1. It CANNOT give spiritual life - 2 Cor. 3:6; Galatians 3:21

2. It CANNOT make us righteous before God - Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; James 2:10

3. It CANNOT take away our sin - Hebrews 10:1-4

4. It CANNOT cancel the promise of God to Abraham - Galatians 3:16-17

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

1. It relates primarily to Israel - Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:8, Deuteronomy 4:44-45; Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Romans 9:4

2. It removes our ignorance of sin - Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7; Galatians 3:19; 1 John 3:4

3. It reflects the character of God Himself - Romans 7:12, Romans 7:22, Romans 7:25; Romans 8:7

4. It regulates society - made for the non-believer - 1 Timothy 1:9-10

5. It reinforces our need of a Savior and that Justification is by Faith ALONE - Matthew 5:17-18; Galatians 2:19-21; Galatians 3:19-25

TWO GREAT DANGERS

It is difficult to be “balanced” in our understanding, interpretation, and application of the “Law.” A person can wind up falling into one of two great ditches in relationship to the “Law.”

The First Ditch: LEGALISM - This is the belief that keeping the Law and its requirements is essential for salvation and/or Christian life and growth.

Galatians 3:1-3 speaks of this danger and warns the believers about it.

The Second Ditch: LIBERTARIANISM - This is the belief that our freedom in Christ allows us to sin without facing any consequences.

Pay attention….Believers are NOT free to sin or to disobey God. We don’t make up the rules...God does! But, we also need to understand that our forgiveness comes through the shedding of Blood, the Death, and the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, and NOT through our works or performance. We cannot earn, maintain, or deserve the Grace of God, and we cannot be Righteous, or maintain righteousness, by what we do or do not do. That comes solely through the work of our LORD Who declares us righteous on the basis of our exercising of The Faith in the finished work of our LORD Jesus, Who died for ALL of our sins, and rose again for our justification.

MAY GOD GIVE US ALL WISDOM FROM HIS WORD ALONE!

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day, and, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 15 of 24

First the Question: The Apostle Paul was imprisoned for proclaiming Divine Truth, which he called The Mystery, or my Gospel. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now….

Today let us consider, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN....THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, pt. 15 of 24

FULFILLING THE LAW, AND, RIGHTEOUSNESS

As we, in this message, seriously consider Him Who suffered such contradiction of sinners, bleeding in Gethsemane and on the cross ( Hebrews 12:1-5), we should KNOW the truth of Romans 3:19, and Galatians 2:21, “what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: THAT EVERY MOUTH MAY BE STOPPED, and all the world become GUILTY before God”. “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ has died in vain (for nothing).” With these statements we should read Romans 4:15 and Colossians 1:20; that the law worketh wrath, but that Christ made peace through the BLOOD of His cross.

So we read in Romans 8:3, “what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” The result: believing sinners freed from the law of sin and death; then the righteousness of the law could be fulfilled in believers who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4).

THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, John forbade. “And Jesus answering said unto him (John): suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:13-15). In Matthew 5:17 these words were spoken by the Lord Jesus, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

In Luke 12:50 we learn that when the LORD Jesus was thinking of the agony of Calvary He said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.” This ‘death’ baptism of God’s Son was part of the work which He had to finish. It was the principal part; for in the shadow of the cross He said, “For this cause came I unto this hour.” (John 12:27). Christ testified that He must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (John 3:14), “signifying what death He should die.” (John 12:33).

Christ’s death on the cross was His ‘baptism’. (Luke 12:50). Think on this.

Christ called the death of James, the brother of John, by Herod’s sword, James’ ‘baptism’. (Matthew 20:20-24, Acts 12:1-2). Later on Peter received his ‘martyr’ baptism. (John 21:18, and, 2 Peter 1:14). John was told that he would receive his ‘martyr’ baptism. (Matthew 20:23). However, James and Peter and John did not fulfill all righteousness when they received their ‘death’ baptism. They did become righteous when they were baptized BY the Holy Spirit INTO the death of Christ.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day for 9-27-2011, and, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 10 of 10+

First the Question: The Apostle Paul was imprisoned for proclaiming Divine Truth, which he called The Mystery, or my Gospel. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 9-22-2011

Question: The Dispensation of the Grace of God did not begin with Peter and Pentecost, but with Saul after his name was changed to Paul. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! And not only that, but, NOT ONE of the twelve apostles referred to the “Church” as the “Body.” The Greek word “Soma” is used exclusively in the writings of the Apostle Paul and is found in his Epistles many times, referring to the Church. The “Body” thus used is always the “Church,” but the “Church” is not always the “Body.”

Today let us consider, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 10 of 10+

Here is the NINTH set of Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, but first, as always, here are the very important FIVE different groups or classes of people who are addressed from the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation:

1) To unsaved Israelites who were under the Law.

2) To saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ.

3) To unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and not under the Law.

4) To carnal saints and babes who were members of the Body of Christ.

5) To those who were of full age, called “the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

Remember, for an in-depth explanation of these five different groups I urge you to read “Super bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1”. Keep these five different groups in mind, and you will derive both blessing and benefit as you carefully study this ninth set of 10 Super-Facts.

Ok, here we go:

1) Note Acts 28:28, “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” And Ephesians 3:8, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” The word “unsearchable” is literally “untraceable” or “not to be traced.” It means NOT prophesied in the Scriptures. After the Apostle Paul's statement in Acts 28:25-28, salvation was sent to the Gentiles with a program and order NEVER BEFORE mentioned. Paul preached to Gentiles a two fold message; namely, Divine Truth prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures and Divine Truth which had NEVER been revealed to one single person UNTIL the RISEN Christ revealed it to Paul; hence, the “mystery” (secret). Paul preached the “searchable” riches AND the “unsearchable” riches of Christ.

2) Now note Ephesians 3:1-2, and Ephesians 3:9, “For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye heard of the dispensation of the Grace of God, which is given me to you-ward.” “And to make all men see what is the fellowship (Dispensation) of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Surely these messages were not proclaimed before Paul told of the door opened by God for the Gentiles. Acts 14:27. Take note, for preaching THESE messages was the jail door was opened for Paul and closed ON him. Colossians 4:3-4, Ephesians 6:19, Ephesians 6:29, 2 Timothy 2:6-9. IF YOU proclaim them very few if ANY denominational doors will be opened for you. Galatians 1:10.

3) In connection with these glorious truths, we have God's message against sectarianism (denominations), against any and all divisions of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:3-6. “There is one Body.” And remember that by the ONE Divine baptism of Ephesians 4:5, the member of that ONE Body, of which Christ is the Head, has been raised to sit in the heavenlies in Christ. He is complete in Christ, identified with Him in crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection, with heavenly citizenship, waiting to appear with Christ in glory.

4) We can never understand the Bible until we learn from God's Word and by God's Spirit that the “Dispensation of the Grace of God”, the “Dispensation of the Mystery” did NOT begin with Peter and Pentecost, but with Saul after his name was changed to Paul. The realization and application of this most important truth will keep God's children out of fanaticism and deliver them from religious delusions and dispensational blunders; and cause them to begin to understand the truth of Ephesians 4:13-14.

5) Now note 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife and DIVISIONS, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Compare Ephesians 1:1 and Ephesians 1:17, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lay in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:13-14.

Please pay ATTENTION: From Matthew 1 to Revelation 22, five groups of people are addressed:

1. Israel under the law.

2. Individual saved Israelites from Matthew 1 to Acts 9, under the law.

3. Gentiles, not under the law.

4. Carnal members of the Body of Christ, babes in Christ.

5. To the faithful in Christ Jesus in Christ's Body; those of full age. Hebrews 5:12-14.

Only those in group 5 intelligently apply the Scriptures to the particular group for whom God intended them, and thus obey 2 Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of truth.”

6) Note in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, the sign-gifts found among the Corin­thian saints: “wisdom,” knowledge,” “faith,” “healing,” “miracles,” “prophecy,” “discerning of spirits,” “tongues,” “interpretation of tongues.” Note in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, and 1 Corinthians 6:8, that the Corinthian saints were CARNAL, able to take only the milk which belonged to babes in Christ, and that they were defrauding one another. But they exercised all the sign gifts. This is proof that the exercise of sign gifts by a saint does NOT prove that that saint is either unusually spiritual or peculiarly faithful. In fact, these sign-gifts can NOT be found among even the most spiritual members of Christ's Body today. Remember Christian teaching and prac­tice may be Scriptural but un-dispensational.

7) Again note that the Corinthians were addressed as “saints” and “sanctified” ones. 1 Corinthians 1:1. They had been washed, sanctified, justified (1 Corinthians 6:11). Here “sanctified” preceded “justified.” This is true also in 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “sanctified unto salvation.” Many of the sanctified Corinthians did wrong (1 Corinthians 6:8): they “walked as men” (1 Corinthians 3:3), they were carnal and defrauded one another. Some of them were chastened unto sickness and physical death for their disobedience; BUT THEY COULD NOT BE CONDEMMED WITH THE WORLD! 1 Corinthians 11:27-32. This is PROOF that sanctification, does not mean sinless perfection, or a Divine work subsequent to salvation!

8) Note, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For by ONE Spirit are we all baptized into ONE Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bound or free; and have been all made to drink into ONE Spirit.” By (in) one Spirit believing Jews and Gentiles have been baptized into ONE Body. By that baptism they had put on Christ. Galatians 3:27. By that baptism they had been baptized into the death of Christ; their old man had been crucified, and they had been raised to walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-7. Compare this “death” baptism with the death baptism of Christ in Luke 12:50 and the ONE baptism of Ephesians 4:5 and Colossians 2:12. Compare this ONE Divine baptism with the one baptism in the first chapters of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, “baptism unto repentance for the remission of sins.” There was one baptism while Christ was on earth. There was one baptism after Israel was set aside, as recorded in Romans 11:13 and Acts 28:25-28. These baptisms were different. Ephesians 4:5. John 1:31.

9) Note three reasons why believing Jews and Gentiles were NOT baptized in ONE Spirit in ONE Body while Christ was on earth in the flesh.

1. The Holy Spirit not yet given. John 7:39.

2. No mention of the Body of Christ until Saul became Paul.

3. Go not into the way of the Gentiles. Matthew 10:5.

In Romans 10:12 (about 60 A.D.) we see no difference between Jews and Gentiles as to God's salvation and blessing; BUT in Matthew 15:21-27, a GREAT difference.

10) Note that NOT ONE of the twelve apostles referred to the “Church” as the “Body.” The Greek word “Soma” is used exclusively in the writings of the Apostle Paul and is found in his Epistles many times, referring to the Church. The “Body” thus used is always the “Church,” but the “Church” is not always the “Body.” Some Christians endeavor to prove that the Body of Christ began, HISTORICALLY, on the day of Pentecost, because the Apostle Paul declared that he persecuted the Church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9. Philippians 3:6. Galatians 1:13. The Body of Ephesians 1:19-22 began with the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3:1 to 3), and the Dispensation of the Mystery (Ephesians 3:9). The Body of Christ did NOT begin with Peter at Pentecost, but with the RISEN Christ's revelation to Saul AFTER he became Paul. Once the Church is called the Sussoma or joint-Body. Ephesians 3:6.

A BONUS number of Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study will be coming up, so stay tuned.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook

LLM Question of the Day, and, The Bible is the Inerrant Word of God!

First the Question: The Dispensation of the Grace of God did not begin with Peter and Pentecost, but with Saul after his name was changed to Paul. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now….

Today let us consider, The Bible is the Inerrant Word of God!

The Bible is peculiarly the Book of God. It is the revelation of God to the human race. We must learn to view the The Bible as a message system. It's not simply 66 books penned by 40 authors over thousands of years, which, you have to admit, is a miracle unto itself! However, the Bible is an integrated whole; which bears the evidence of supernatural engineering in every detail!

The first Book is called Genesis. Genesis is the Book of beginnings. The first five Books of the Bible are called the “Pentateuch.” “Pente” means “five.” Some Jews refer to these five Books as “the Books of Moses.” The five Books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Moses was born in Egypt. Moses was a descendant of Levi, who was one of the sons of Jacob, or Israel. Moses was the man whom God chose to write the first Books of the Bible.

The last Book of the Bible is called “The Revelation”, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The Greek word translated “Revela­tion” is “Apokalupsis.” This word means “the unveiling”, (and NOT “The End”, as many believe). The human author, whom God used to write “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”, the last Book of the Bible, was the Apostle John.

While Jesus Christ was on earth He selected twelve apostles, four of whom were fishermen. These four apostles were Andrew and Simon and James and John. Andrew and Simon were brothers. Simon was later on named “Peter” by the Lord Jesus Christ. James and John were also brothers. They were called “Boanerges”. Mark 3:17, “And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and He surnamed them Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder.” “Boanerges” means “the sons of thunder.”

Simon Peter and John were partners in the fishing business. Matthew 4:18, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”

Then He saw James and John with their father. They were in their fishing boat mending their nets. Matthew 4:21. The Lord said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Peter and John became partners in the business of fishing for men. They labored together in the service of the Lord, witnessing concerning His life and works and ministry, His death and resurrection. Luke 22:8, Acts 3:1-3, Acts 3:11, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:19, and Acts 8:14.

John, the brother of James, outlived all the other apostles of Jesus Christ. He is called in the Bible, “that apostle whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23, John 19:26, John 20:2, John 21:7, and John 21:20. Like Moses, the first human author, the Apostle John wrote five Books of the Bible: “The Gospel of John” and three Epistles, “1 John”, “2 John”, and “3 John”, and “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Now, concerning Moses, note this statement in the Bible, Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Moses died about 1455 B. C. (Before Christ). Moses was 120 years old when he died. Deuteronomy 34:7, ”And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died.”

The Apostle John was about 100 years of age when he died. He died about 100 A. D. (Anno Domini), “the year of the Lord.” The last Book of the Bible was written between 1500 and 1600 years AFTER the first Book of the Bible was written.

Moses was God’s appointed deliverer and leader of Israel. Moses was God’s law-giver. God’s call of Moses is recorded in Exodus 3:4-14, “And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, ‘Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. “And He said, ‘Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.’” “Moreover He said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. “And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”

“Come now therefore and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” Exodus 3:10.

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:14.

At the time of his call by God, Moses was a shepherd. Exodus 3:1. That was about 1495 B. C. At that time Moses was 80 years old. Exodus 7:7, “And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.”

Other shepherds who wrote Books in the Bible were David and Amos.

1 Samuel 16:11-13, “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down until he come hither. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”

Amos 1:1, “The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jereboam, the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.”

Thus we see that the first Book of the Bible was written by a shepherd and the last Book by a fisherman.

We learned also that Peter was a fisherman. Peter wrote two Books of the Bible: two Epistles, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter. Peter was quite an old man when he died. When Peter and the Lord Jesus Christ were here on earth together the Lord Jesus told Peter when and how he would die, John 21:18-19, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Thus spake He signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He saith unto him, Follow Me.” Shortly before his death Peter referred to the statement of Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 1:13-14, “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance: Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

We have learned that Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, James, and John, were four of the twelve apostles whom Jesus Christ, while on earth, selected from His many disciples. Of His twelve apostles, John wrote five of the Books of the Bible, Peter wrote two of the Books, Levi (Matthew) wrote one. Matthew wrote the first Book after the death of Christ; it is called “Matthew”. It is generally believed that James, who wrote the Epistle of James, was one of the twelve apostles. This James is thought to be the James called “the Lord’s brother”. Galatians 1:19. He was not the brother of John. John’s brother, James, was killed by Herod about 45 A. D. Acts 12:1-2, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John, with the sword.” So we learn that Christ had two apostles by the name of James.

Then the sixty fifth Book of the Bible, one of the shortest Books in the Bible (one chapter of 25 verses) was written by Jude. It bears his name. It is generally believed that he was one of the twelve apostles. We have mentioned six of the twelve apostles, Simon Peter, John, James, Andrew, Jude, and James. It is thought that Jude was also called “Thaddaeus”. Matthew 10:3.

ADAM AND CHRIST - B. C. and A. D.

We have explained that B. C. means “before (Jesus) Christ”, that is, before He was born of Mary in Bethlehem. A. D. means years since that great event took place. Dating back B. C. from the birth of Christ to the creation of Adam there were about 4000 years of the history of the human race.

According to the Bible the first man was Adam. 1 Corinthians 15:45 and 1 Corinthians 15:47, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.” And, “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the Second Man is the Lord from heaven.”

If we date from the birth of Adam, we call the year “A. H.”, Anno Homini. This means, “the year of man”. Some people speak of A. M., “Anno Mundi”. This means, “the year of the world.” We have no way of telling how many thousands, or millions, of years since the world was made. But we can be quite accurate in fixing the date of the making of the first man and his wife, Adam and Eve. They were in the Garden of Eden about 4000 years “Before Christ”. Therefore Christ was born about 4000 Anno Homini, “the year of man”.

Note that about 4000 years elapsed between the time the first man was in the Garden of Eden and the time that the little Child Jesus was in the manger at Bethlehem.

GOD - CHRIST

Now, note the first verse of Genesis and the last verse of The Revelation, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1, and, “The Grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Revelation 22:21

Thus the Bible begins with God and the Bible closes with the LORD Jesus Christ. Note the words of Christ in Revelation 1:8: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Almighty.”

The Bible is peculiarly God’s Book. It is God’s revelation to the human race. Note this plain and important statement in the Bible concerning the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Greek word translated “given by inspiration of God” is “theopneustos”. This means “God breathed”. This is somewhat explained in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were MOVED by the Holy Ghost.”

The Holy Spirit is infallible. Men who wrote the Books of the Bible did not write their own ideas or doctrines. They were moved or “carried along” by the infallible Holy Spirit. Hence the following statements concerning God’s Word:

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof fadeth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25

“For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89

“I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.” Psalms 138:2

“For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Now let us note what the LORD Jesus Christ said about the Scriptures and Himself:

John 5:39, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.”

Luke 24:25-27, “Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Luke 24:45-46, “Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.”

Then note several other Scriptures, spoken or written AFTER Christ went back to heaven:

Acts 4:27-28, “For of a truth against Thy holy Child Jesus, Whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.”

Acts 26:22-24, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gen­tiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.’”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; “And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in the 27 Books, from Matthew to Revelation, by noun and pronoun, more than 6900 times.

The very heart of the Bible is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was in the Godhead in creation, came down from Heaven to die for sin; that is, He appeared ONCE in the end of the ages to put away sin by the ONCE sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:26. But note the fact also of His resurrection and ascension; for He went back to heaven where He now lives at God’s right hand, “This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12.

This was all in fulfillment of God’s infallible Scriptures, according to God’s infallible Word. The Bible, God’s message system, in reflecting its supernatural origin, tells us, and explains to us that God’s free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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Is The Bible Really the Inspired Word of God?

It is quite obvious to many believers that the Bible itself is under attack. The Bible was the textbook for America for over 100 years and we produced the greatest generation of scholars, scientists, lawyers, judges, doctors, teachers, and preachers that the world had ever seen!

Now, we are more sophisticated (we think!) and have become “judges” and “critics” of the Bible. Its historicity and accuracy is being challenged by many people, both secularists as well as religious people. We continue to question the authenticity of the Bible and the majority of Americans doubt that the Bible IS THE Word of God and that it is inspired of God.

SO, WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “INSPIRATION”?

Inspiration does NOT refer to the writers, but rather to the writings. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 insists that the writers were controlled by the Holy Spirit so that what was written was accurate and exactly what God wanted to communicate to us.

There is “external evidence” (like manuscripts, historical and archaeological facts, geographical information, etc.) as well as “internal evidence” (what the Bible claims about itself) that affects what we mean by “inspiration.”

Here is a possible definition: INSPIRATION IS THE ACT OF GOD BY WHICH HE COMMUNICATED HIS WORD IN WRITTEN FORM AND DIRECTLY CONTROLLED THE WRITERS SO THAT WHAT WAS WRITTEN (original autographs) WAS FREE FROM ERROR!

The Bible is not only “inspired of God” - it is also inerrant (without error in the original autographs). It is the most translated and distributed book before the invention of printing (1450 AD) in the history of the world! No other writing is close to its manuscript evidence. Over 5500 Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts, and over 1000 manuscripts in other languages - all before the invention of printing! Incredible to say the least!

Inspiration refers to ALL that was written - not just parts of it. If you can’t trust the Bible’s historical facts, then how can you trust its moral and spiritual teachings? The Bible is the most amazing book of all history - actually it is a library (like an integrated software system!) of 66 books.

The Old Testament has 39 books in the Protestant Bible (exactly the same as the Jewish Bible, the Tanakh, but organized differently in three major sections - the torah, the prophets, and the writings.) The New Testament contains 27 books. The ROMAN Catholic Bible has added some 14 Jewish apocryphal books, but the early church NEVER considered them inspired of God even though some of them do contain valuable history. There have been some modern attempts (Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, etc.) to add books to the Bible as though they were on the level of the authorized canon of the Scriptures - but it won’t work! These “pseudo-graphic” writings clearly reveal that they are outside the realm of Biblical authority and authenticity.

The Bible itself will bring a person salvation Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, 1 Peter 1:23-25; and give discernment to the believer as to what is right and wrong Hebrews 5:11-14. Through the Bible we gain effectiveness in prayer John 15: 7, 1 John 5:14; and we are enabled to live victoriously over sin Psalm 119:9-11, John 15:3, 1 Peter 2:2-3. Through the Bible the true believer can be equipped for every good work 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

But, how do we know that the Bible is a FINAL and COMPLETE revelation of God in written form? Let’s go to our message, The Bible: The Inerrant Word of God

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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LLM Question of the Day for 9-22-2011, and, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 9 of 10

First the Question: The Dispensation of the Grace of God did not begin with Peter and Pentecost, but with Saul after his name was changed to Paul. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 9-17-2011

Question: Stephen saw Christ standing in Heaven. Was Christ, STANDING, ready to come back as King then, at that moment. Yes or No?

Answer: YES! Note in Acts 3:16-18 and Acts 3:26, the fact that God was not only ready to pardon Israel's sin against the Son of man, but to send Him BACK to Israel, IF their rulers would repent. On this question, out of 643 responses, AMAZINGLY only 25.7% of you got it right. Another area where there is much work to be done! Therefore…

Today let us consider, Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 9 of 10

Here are the next TEN Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study, but first, as always, here are the very important FIVE different groups or classes of people who are addressed from the first chapter of Matthew to the last chapter of Revelation:

1) To unsaved Israelites who were under the Law.

2) To saved Israelites who were under the Law before they became members of the Body of Christ.

3) To unsaved Gentiles who were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and not under the Law.

4) To carnal saints and babes who were members of the Body of Christ.

5) To those who were of full age, called “the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

Remember, for an in-depth explanation of these five different groups I urge you to read “Super bible Facts for Super Bible Study, part 1”. Keep these five different groups in mind, and you will derive both blessing and benefit as you carefully study this eighth set of 10 Super-Facts.

Ok, here we go:

1) In Acts 1:16-26, we learn it was in fulfillment of prophecy, that Judas lost his place among the twelve apostles and that Matthias took that place. But in 1 Corinthians 15:8, we learn that Paul was a witness born out of due time. The important thing to note is, that there were eleven apostles present when the RISEN Christ gave to them the commission of Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:14-18; but there had to be TWELVE apostles ready for Pentecost. “PETER STOOD UP WITH THE ELEVEN.” Acts 2:14. When Judas died a successor was chosen. This is the ONLY case of Apostolic succession. Twelve men standing on the day of Pentecost addressed all the house of Israel, twelve tribes. Acts 2:36. They were devout Jews from every nation under heaven. “Unto all Israel, near and far off, through all the countries.” Daniel 9:7.

2) In Acts 12:1-2, we learn that when the second of the twelve apostles died, no successor was chosen to keep the number “TWELVE.” Why was a successor chosen when Judas died and NONE was chosen to succeed James, the brother of John? Let us remember, on the day of Pentecost TWELVE men stood up (Acts 2:11) to preach to all the house of Israel twelve tribes. Acts 2:36. THIS is the refutation of the “apostolic succession” heresy of Roman Catholicism. And also the answer to the Pentecostalists’ errors.

3) After James died, the Holy Spirit separated Barnabas and Saul for a new work. Acts 13:2. Saul had been testifying for several years before the commission of Acts 13:2. With the record of the commission of Acts 13:2, the RECORD of the ministry of the twelve apostles during the “Acts” period ends. Again, we say the record. They are never mentioned again in Acts except as they have dealings with Paul. In the last sixteen chapters of Acts, we have principally the record of the acts of one human, Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul, who is mentioned more than 100 times.

4) In Matthew 12:27-33, we have the Lord's Word concerning Israel's sin against the Son of man, and their sin against the Holy Spirit, the “PARDONABLE” sin and the “UNPARDONABLE” sin. About eighty times in the Four Gospels Christ is called “the Son of man.” It was His title for Himself, not used by others until the words of Stephen in Acts 7:56, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God”. Is­rael sinned against the Son of man and had Him crucified. This sin was pardonable for He prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Paul does not speak of Christ either as “the Son of man” or “Jesus of Nazareth” in connection with the Body of Christ.

5) Note in Acts 3:16-18 and Acts 3:26, the fact that God was not only ready to pardon Israel's sin against the Son of man, but to send Him back to Israel, if their rulers would repent. When they killed Stephen he was filled with the Holy Spirit when he saw the Son of man whom Israel had crucified. Israel sinned against the Holy Spirit. Acts 7:51. That was the unpardonable sin. Note in Acts 5:32 that the Holy Spirit was God's witness concerning Israel's sin against the Son of man, His death, and resurrection. Note also Acts 18:5-6 and Acts 13:40-41. Ephesians 2:1-9 teaches that no Gentile did or could commit the unpardonable sin. Very important to understand!

6) Then note the dispensational miracle in Acts 13:6-16. The three characters: “Bar-Jesus,” a Jew, “Sergius (Paul) Paulus,” the Gentile, and Saul (the Apostle Paul), the preacher. “Paulus” (Paul) wanted to hear the gospel from Saul (the Apostle Paul). “Bar-Jesus,” (meaning the son of Jehovah-Savior) sought to turn the Gentile AWAY from the Faith. God sent blindness upon the Jew and the Gentile believed and Saul became Paul: “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord” Acts 13:12. “Saul” became “Paul”. Therefore the truth of Acts 13:46. And God sent blindness on Israel. Israel fell, and salvation was sent to Gentiles by Paul. Read Romans 11:8-11. Never forget the tremendous significance of this dispensational miracle.

7) Now look at what followed this dispensational miracle? “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves un­worthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46. Here was a very definite turning point in God's program. This was in Asia. The same definite change in Europe is indicated in Acts 18:5-6, “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook his raiment and said unto them, Your blood he upon your own heads: I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” Thus we learn that Bar-jesus (the child of Jehovah-Savior) speaks of Israel. The unbelief and blindness of “Bar-jesus” speaks of the blindness of Israel that brought salvation to the Gentiles. Romans 11:30 and Romans 11:11-17.

8) In the verses just quoted we have the truth of Romans 11:8, Romans 11:11, and Romans 11:30: “According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day.” “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.” Remember Acts 13:12, when the Gentiles saw the blindness of the Jew, he believed. “Astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” Do YOU see the doctrine?

9) Note carefully, in Acts 14:1, that many Greeks believed. This is the first mention of the salvation of Greeks. Grecians were different from Greeks. Grecians were Greek Jews. After the record of the “salvation” of these Gentiles, we have the words of Acts 14:27, “And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles.” We must not have this door open before God opened it. Acts 14:27 marked a change in God's program. We must study all Scripture as to whether the preaching and events were before or after the truth of Acts 14:27.

10) Note again Matthew 10:5-8, “These twelve Jesus sent forth and com­manded them, saying, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” And Acts 10:28, “It is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to come unto one of another nation.” Now compare this with Acts 14:27, “And when they were come and had gathered the Church together they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.” This was about 13 years after Pentecost!

More Super Bible Facts for Super Bible Study coming up quick!

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Subscribe Here to the LLM Newsletter , Follow LLM on Twitter , Subscribe to LLM on Youtube , LLM on MySpace , and FaceBook